Discharge apparatus for a shipping container

ABSTRACT

A shipping container discharge system and method of using the shipping container discharge system includes a bulkhead liner for a shipping container with a reinforced area and a discharge sleeve extending from within the shipping container. The discharge sleeve has a discharge passage in communication with an interior space of the bulkhead liner for discharging a product from the interior space. The shipping container discharge system also includes a manifold having a first aperture and at least one attachment member. The discharge sleeve extends through the first aperture and the attachment member is attached to the reinforced area of the bulkhead liner to secure the manifold to the bulkhead liner. A high hat with a second aperture is attachable to the manifold with a portion of the discharge sleeve secured between the manifold and the high hat to prevent contamination of a product to be unloaded from the interior space of the bulkhead liner.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a discharge apparatus for a shippingcontainer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cargo containers are used to carry bulk cargo such as dry bulkchemicals, powdered and pelletized resins, flour, coffee, grains and thelike. When cargo containers are used to carry bulk cargo, the containermust be kept clean or be cleaned after each load of cargo is emptiedfrom the container, so that the container can be subsequently used withanother load of cargo. Moreover, the cargo must be protected fromcontamination and from undesirable exposure to natural elements.

Removable liners typically are used to line interior walls or surfacesof the cargo containers in order to carry the bulk cargo withoutsullying the container and contaminating the cargo. Such a removableliner protects the cargo during shipment or storage from rain, debris,and the like. After the cargo is delivered, the liner can be removed sothat the container is again usable without significant cleaning to carryanother load of cargo.

The conventional removable liner typically includes a pliable tube orsleeve that is tied off during transportation of the cargo. After thecontainer arrives at an unloading destination, the sleeve is untied andattached to a take-away device through which the cargo is unloaded. Dueto the pliability of the liner and the sleeve, attachment of thetake-away device is difficult. Moreover, as the container is inclined tounload the cargo, forces exerted by the shifting cargo can cause theliner sleeve to slip off the take-away device thus spilling andcontaminating the cargo.

A discharge apparatus for a pliable liner that can be readily installedwhen a load of cargo is to be unloaded, which will easily attach to atake-away hose and remain attached during cargo unloading, is needed inthe industry.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed in general to a discharge apparatusfor a pliable bulkhead liner for a shipping container. The dischargeapparatus is readily attachable to the bulkhead liner to discharge aload of cargo or product held in the bulkhead liner. The component partsof the discharge apparatus are simple and economical to manufacture,assemble and use. Other advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description and attached drawings, or can be learnedthrough practice of the invention.

According to one aspect of the invention, a shipping container dischargesystem includes a bulkhead liner for a shipping container having areinforced area and a discharge sleeve extending from the reinforcedarea. The discharge sleeve has a discharge passage in communication withan interior space of the bulkhead liner for discharging the product fromthe interior space. In this aspect, the bulkhead liner is made from apliable material such as a polymer and the reinforced area is a patchattached to the bulkhead liner. The patch can also be made of polymer.

The shipping container discharge system includes a manifold with a firstaperture and one or more attachment members. In this aspect, thedischarge sleeve extends through the first aperture of the manifold. Theattachment members can be, for instance, a pair of opposing arms, barsor attachment holes in a portion of the manifold. The attachment membersare attached to the reinforced area to secure the manifold to thebulkhead liner. A plurality of cable ties inserted in respective slitsformed in the reinforced area is used to secure the attachment membersof the manifold to the liner.

The manifold in this aspect of the invention has a flat or straightedge, which complements a surface of the shipping container. The edge ispositioned on the surface to support a weight of the manifold, tostabilize the manifold and to align the first and second apertures withthe discharge sleeve. The manifold can also have a window for viewingthe product during discharge from the interior space of the bulkheadliner. Additionally, the manifold can have an attachment device forsecuring a cap or high hat to the manifold. The attachment device, forexample, can be a plurality of adjustable rods attachable to respectiverod receptacles of the high hat via a plurality of bolts or the like.

The high hat is attachable to the manifold with a portion of thedischarge sleeve secured between the manifold and the high hat toprevent contamination of the discharging product. The high hat can havea spout to direct the product during discharge. In this aspect, an innersleeve extends from within the discharge sleeve through a secondaperture of the high hat and is secured about the high hat by foldingover a perimeter of the spout. The spout can have a raised band or aplurality of weld beads to hold a take-away hose against the innersleeve folded over the weld beads.

In another aspect of the invention, a shipping container dischargesystem includes a manifold with an aperture formed through the manifold.The manifold includes at least one attachment member such as a bar, rodor arm attachable to a reinforced area of a bulkhead liner to secure themanifold to the bulkhead liner. The bulkhead liner is a woven orextruded polypropylene or polyethylene material and the reinforced areais a woven or extruded polypropylene or polyethylene patch attached tothe bulkhead liner. A discharge sleeve of the bulkhead liner extendsthrough the aperture and is secured about the manifold. A take-away hoseis attached to the manifold and the discharge sleeve for discharging aproduct from the bulkhead liner through the aperture and the dischargesleeve.

The manifold in this aspect of the invention has an edge, which isshaped complementary to a surface of the shipping container. The edge ispositioned on the surface to support the manifold and to align theaperture with the discharge sleeve. The manifold can have a window forviewing the product during discharge from the bulkhead liner.

The shipping container discharge system also includes cable ties, whichare inserted in slits formed in the reinforced area. The cable ties aresecurable to the attachment member.

The shipping container discharge system further includes a high hat witha complementary aperture formed in the high hat. The high hat isattachable to the manifold with the discharge sleeve secured between themanifold and the high hat.

The high hat can have a spout with a plurality of protrusions formed onor attached to the spout. The spout directs the product during dischargewhile the protrusions hold a take-away hose about a complementary sleeveextending from within the bulkhead liner through the discharge sleeve.The complementary sleeve is placed between the protrusions and thetake-away hose to hold the complementary sleeve in position.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of discharging aproduct from a shipping container includes the steps of: providing abulkhead liner for a shipping container having an external surface andan internal surface defined about a cavity therein, and at least onedischarge sleeve attached to the internal surface and depending throughthe external and internal surfaces; attaching a manifold to the externalsurface, the at least one discharge sleeve depending from the internalsurface through a first aperture of the manifold; and attaching a highhat to the manifold with a portion of the at least one discharge sleevesecured between the manifold and the high hat, the high hat defining asecond aperture therethrough for unloading a product from within thebulkhead liner through the at least one discharge sleeve and the secondaperture.

The method of discharging a product can also include the step ofattaching a reinforcement patch to the internal surface, the manifoldattached to the external surface opposite the reinforcement patch.

The method of discharging a product can further include the steps ofproviding a plurality of slits through the external and internalsurfaces and the reinforcement patch, inserting at least one cable tieinto a first one of the slits, projecting the at least one cable tiefrom a second one of the slits, and securing the at least one cable tieabout an attachment member of the manifold to attach the manifold to theexternal surface.

The method of discharging a product can also include the steps ofproviding the bulkhead liner with a complementary sleeve disposed in theat least one discharge sleeve, and securing a portion of thecomplementary sleeve between the high hat and a take-away hose forunloading the product from the bulkhead liner through the secondaperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description, or can be learned through practice of theinvention, in combination with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shipping container discharge systemaccording to an aspect of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view a discharge apparatus according to anaspect of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of a manifold and a high hat ofthe discharge apparatus as in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a step according to amethod of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing another step according tothe method of the invention;

FIG. 6A is another partial perspective view showing a further stepaccording to the method of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is yet another step according to the method of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7A is another partial perspective view showing an additional stepaccording to the method of the present invention; and

FIG. 7B is a partial perspective view showing a further step accordingto the method of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Detailed reference will now be made to the drawings in which examplesembodying the present invention are shown. The detailed description usesnumerical and letter designations to refer to features of the drawings.Like or similar designations of the drawings and description have beenused to refer to like or similar parts of the invention.

The drawings and detailed description provide a full and writtendescription of the invention, and of the manner and process of makingand using it, so as to enable one skilled in the pertinent art to make ause it, as well as the best mode of carrying out the invention. However,the examples as set forth in the drawings and detailed description areprovided by way of explanation only and are not meant as limitations ofthe invention. The present invention thus includes any modifications andvariations of the following examples as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

A shipping container discharge system is broadly embodied in the Figuresdesignated in general by the element number 10. The shipping containerdischarge system 10 generally includes a discharge apparatus 12 and abulkhead liner 20 installed in a shipping container 14. The shippingcontainer discharge system 10 is used to discharge a product such asgrains, dry chemicals or other dry bulk cargo from the liner 20 via atake-away tube or hose T, shown for instance in FIG. 7B. As described ingreater detail and by example operation below, the shipping containerdischarge system 10 resists various forces imparted or exerted by thedischarging product against the take-away hose T to prevent spillage andcontamination of the product.

With particular reference to FIG. 1, the bulkhead liner 20 of theshipping container discharge system 10 is shown installed in an interiorspace 15 of the shipping container 14. The liner 20 is a pliable,flexible body, which is woven or extruded from a polymer material suchas polypropylene, polyethylene and similar durable, plastic-likematerials or combinations of these materials. An exemplary linersuitable for use as the bulkhead liner 20 is available from Powertex®,Inc., Rouses Point, N.Y. and is the subject of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/055,555, filed Feb. 10, 2005, entitled“Braceless Liner”.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the liner 20 is filled with the product (notshown), the liner 20 occupies most of the interior space 15 of theshipping container 14 and generally assumes a shape of the host shippingcontainer 14. In this example, the shipping container 14 is arectangularly shaped trailer of the type used on many tractor-trailers.The shipping container 14 includes a doorway with a door or doors D,three internal walls or sides 14 a-c, a ceiling 14 d and a floor 14 e,collectively referred to herein as container surfaces 14 a-e.

FIG. 1 further shows the discharge apparatus 12, which includes amanifold 16 and high hat or cap 18. The manifold 16 is directly attachedto the liner 20 and the high hat 18 is coupled to the manifold 16. Moreparticularly, the manifold 16 is attached to an exterior surface 20 a ofthe liner 20. As shown, a lattice 22 is also attached to the exteriorsurface 20 a to support the liner 20 when it is filled with the product.Also generally shown in FIG. 1, an inner contamination sleeve 76(alternatively referred to as inner or complementary sleeve) extendsfrom the liner 20 through the discharge apparatus 12. These and otherelements, components, and characteristics of the shipping containerdischarge system 10 are described in detail and by way of exampleoperation below.

FIGS. 2 and 3 more particularly show the manifold 16 and the high hat 18of the discharge apparatus 12. Specifically, FIG. 2 shows the manifold16 and the high hat 18 coupled together, and FIG. 3 shows the componentsseparated for clarity.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the manifold 16 includes a body or basemember 24, which defines an annular or circumferential neck 26 in thisexample that forms a discharge aperture 28. The manifold 16 also definesa lip 30, which has at least one flat edge 32 for positioning themanifold 16 on a brace B of the shipping container 14 as described belowwith respect to FIGS. 4-7B.

FIGS. 2 and 3 further show a top hatch assembly 34, which opens toprovide a viewing window 36 to view the discharging product. The tophatch assembly 34 includes a door 38 that is attachable to the basemember 24 by one or more hinge assemblies 40. As indicated by adouble-headed arrow labeled “A” in FIG. 3, a handle or latch 42 of thetop hatch assembly 34 fits into a catch 44 to open and close the door 38via the hinge assemblies 40 to access the viewing window 36.Alternatively or in addition to the door 38, the viewing window 36 canbe a piece of durable clear plastic for viewing the discharging product.

FIGS. 2 and 3 also show one or more attachment bars 46 (alternativelyreferred to as attachment members or arms), which are used to secure themanifold 16 to the liner 20 as described below. Also shown, the basemember 24 of the manifold 16 includes at least one high hat attachmentdevice 48. The attachment device 48 includes a rod base or swivel 50 inwhich an adjustable, threaded rod 52 is swivelably attached. Asindicated by another double headed arrow labeled “B” in FIG. 3, theadjustable rod 52 swivels away from the neck 26 until a technician isready to attach the high hat 18 to the neck 26 and secure the high hat18 to the manifold 16 as will be described operation below. The skilledartisan will instantly appreciate that various alternatives to the highhat attachment device 48 are available. For instance, a plurality ofsnaps, screws, bolts and the like can be positioned on and about themanifold 16 and the high hat 18 in lieu of or in addition to theattachment device 48.

The high-hat 18 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes an annular skirt 56 thatdefines an annular run 58 defined by concentric lips or walls 58 a,b(shown partially cut away) between which the neck 26 of the manifold 16is inserted. The high hat 18 also includes respective rod receptacles 60for receipt of the swivelable rods 52 as noted above. Once the high hat18 is positioned on the neck 26 of the manifold 16, the rods 52 arebolted against the rod receptacles 60 by a plurality of nuts, butterflynuts, or bolts 54 as shown in FIG. 2. Further, the high hat 18 includesan annular spout 62 with one or more protrusions such as a band, ring orweld beads 64 that are used to grip and immobilize the inner sleeve 76as well as the take-away hose T as described below.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the manifold 16 and thehigh hat 18 can be manufactured from various durable materials includingmetals such as aluminum. Thus, the manifold 16 and the high hat 18 canbe repeatedly used and have sufficient structure to withstand a force ofthe discharging product; however, the manifold 16 and the high hat 18have minimal weight to reduce strain against the liner 20 and tosimplify installation. It will be further appreciated that the manifold16 and the high hat 18 can be manufactured in various shapes and sizesdepending on customer requirements and sizes and shapes of the take-awaydevice. For instance, the spout 62 of the high hat 18 can besquare-shaped to accommodate a square-shaped take way hose T. Likewise,the discharge aperture 28 of the manifold 16 can have a 13-inch or a21-inch outside diameter with a respective 18-inch or 8-inch high hatoutside diameter forming a complementary discharge opening or aperture65. Again, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventionis not limited to particular dimensions or shapes.

The above and other aspects of the invention may be better understoodwith reference to a method of using the shipping container dischargesystem 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4-7B, the method of utilizing the shippingcontainer discharge system 10 includes the steps of providing thedischarge apparatus 12 substantially as described above for attachmentto the liner 20 of the shipping container 14. In FIGS. 1 and 4, forinstance, the brace B of the shipping container 14 is shown adjacent thedoor D. The liner 20 is placed in the interior 15 of the shippingcontainer 14 inward of the brace B away from the door D. As introducedabove, the liner 20 includes the exterior surface 20 a, which has anopposing interior or inner surface 20 b. A reinforcement patch orsection of material 68 is attached to the interior surface 20 b in thisexample such as by sewing the reinforcement patch 68 to the innersurface 20 b with nylon thread. The reinforcement patch 68 like theliner 20 is a durable synthetic material such as polypropylene orpolyethylene, which reinforces an area of the liner 14 where thedischarge apparatus 12 is attached. The skilled artisan will instantlyrecognize that the reinforcement patch 68 can also be attached to theexterior surface 20 a or to both exterior and interior surfaces 20 a,b.Moreover, the reinforcement patch 68 can be a plurality of separatepatches as shown in this example, or a single patch of any sizedepending on a size of the area of the liner 20 to be reinforced.

With particular reference to FIG. 4, a plurality of slits 70 is formedthrough the exterior and interior surfaces 20 a,b and the reinforcementpatch 68 so that a plurality of cable ties 66 can be inserted in theslits 70 to position portions of the cable ties 66 against the interiorsurface 20 b of the liner 20. The cable ties 66 are heavy-duty ties suchas plastic that are sufficiently flexible for repeated manipulation andsufficiently strong to secure the manifold 16 to the liner 20 withoutrequiring metal or wood bracing. As shown, each cable tie 66 has a maleend 66 a and a female end 66 b that project from respective slits 70.The spacing of the slits 70 permits adjustment of the cable ties 66several inches to either side to position the manifold 16 beforesecuring the manifold 16 in place with the cable ties 66. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that the slits 70 can be spacedor positioned about the reinforcement patch 68 to accommodate variousmanifold diameters and liner discharge locations.

FIG. 4 further shows an outer contamination sleeve 74. The outercontamination sleeve 74 can be attached to one or both of the exteriorand interior surfaces 20 a,b of the liner 20. As shown in these steps ofthe method, the contamination sleeve 74 is attached to the interiorsurface 20 b and pulled through an aperture 23 of the liner 20. Theouter contamination sleeve 74 is then inserted in the manifold 28 andpulled through the discharge aperture 28.

Turning now to another step of the method as shown in FIG. 5, the flatedge 32 of the manifold is placed on the brace B of the shippingcontainer 14. The flat edge 32 is complementary to the horizontallyoriented brace B to prevent the manifold 16 from rolling side to side onthe brace B. Additionally and with brief reference to FIG. 2, the flatedge 32 is spaced on the lip 30 at a sufficient distance from the body24 of the manifold 16 to align the discharge aperture 28 with the lineraperture 23 when the flat edge 32 is resting on the brace B. Suchalignment avoids constriction of the outer and inner contaminationsleeves 74, 76 through the apertures 23 and 28 and facilitates productdischarge. Moreover, the flat edge 32 supports the added weight of theproduct as it discharges through the apertures 23, 28.

In a further step shown in FIG. 5, the female end 66 b of the cable tie66 is wrapped around one of the attachment members 46 of the manifold 16and the male end 66 a is inserted through female end 66 b to secure theattachment member 46 and thus the manifold 16 to the exterior surface 20a of the liner 20. As noted above, the reinforcement patch or patches 68enable the cable ties 66 to hold the weight of the manifold 16 as wellas the added weight of the product as it discharges.

Turning now to FIG. 6A, once the cable ties 66 are secured to theattachment members 46, the outer contamination sleeve 74 can be trimmedwith a knife, razor, or other cutting instrument “C” to remove excessmaterial from the outer contamination sleeve 74. As shown, the rods 52of the attachment devices 48 are swiveled away from the neck 26 of themanifold 16 in this step until the technician is ready to place the highhat 18 on the manifold 16.

FIG. 6B shows another step in the method in which the outercontamination sleeve 74 is folded over and about the neck 26 of themanifold 16 in preparation for receipt of the high hat 18.

FIG. 7A shows the high hat 18 slid or snapped on the manifold 16. Asintroduced above with respect to FIG. 3, the run 58 of the high hat 18mates against the neck 26 of the manifold 16. As shown, this matingarrangement traps and secures the outer contamination sleeve 74 betweenthe manifold 16 and the high hat 18.

In a further step according to a method of the invention, the rods 52shown in FIG. 7A have been swiveled in their swivel joints 50 to slideinto the rod receptacles 60 of the high hat 18. In another step, thebolts 54 are screwed on the rods 52 in a known manner to secure the highhat 18 to the manifold 16. As noted above, the skilled artisan willinstantly appreciate that various devices such as trunk locks, hasps orthe like can be used in lieu of or in addition to the high hatattachment devices 48.

Turning to FIG. 7B, the inner contamination sleeve 76 is pulled fromwithin the liner 20 and through the outer contamination sleeve 74 inanother step of the method. The inner contamination sleeve 76, like theouter contamination sleeve 74, is attached to one or both of theexterior and interior surfaces 20 a,b and/or to the outer contaminationsleeve 74. Similar to the steps described above for trimming the outercontamination sleeve 74, the inner contamination sleeve 76 is trimmedand rolled over the spout 62 of the high hat 18.

FIG. 7B shows another step in the method in which the take-away hose Tis placed over the spout 62 and held in position as a function of sizeof the outer diameter of the spout 62 and the inner diameter of thetake-away hose T. Moreover, the protrusions or weld beads 64 spacedabout the spout 62 press against the inner diameter of the take-awayhose T, which compresses the inner contamination sleeve 76 therebetweento hold both the sleeve 76 and the take-away hose T securely in placewhile the product is unloaded from the shipping container 14.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, those skilled in the art will recognize that other changesand modifications may be made to the foregoing examples withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention. For instance,various durable, reusable materials can be used for the liner 20, thereinforcement patch 68 and the cable ties 66. Moreover, certain devicessuch as the high hat attachment devices 48 and the cable ties 66 can besubstituted with other attachment arrangements. Furthermore, additionalcable ties 66 and respective slits 70 can be used to further secure themanifold 16 to the liner surface 20 a. It is intended to claim all suchchanges and modifications as fall within the scope of the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

References herein to “top,” “upward,” “upper,” “higher,” “lower,”“bottom,” “downward,” “descending,” “ascending,” “side,” “first,” and“second” structures, elements, designations, geometries and the like areintended solely for purposes of providing an enabling disclosure and inno way suggest limitations regarding the operative orientation or orderof the exemplary embodiments or any components thereof.

1. A shipping container discharge system, comprising: a bulkhead linerfor a shipping container having a reinforced area and a discharge sleevedepending from proximate the reinforced area, the discharge sleevedefining a discharge passage therein in communication with an interiorspace of the bulkhead liner for discharging a product from the interiorspace; a manifold defining a first aperture therethrough and at leastone attachment member, the discharge sleeve extending through the firstaperture, the at least one attachment member configured for attachmentto the reinforced area to secure the manifold to the bulkhead liner; anda high hat defining a second aperture therethrough, the high hatattachable to the manifold with a portion of the discharge sleevesecured between the manifold and the high hat to prevent contaminationof the discharging product.
 2. The shipping container discharge systemas in claim 1, wherein the bulkhead liner is a pliable material and thereinforced area is a polymer patch attached thereto.
 3. The shippingcontainer discharge system as in claim 1, further comprising an innersleeve depending from within the discharge sleeve and securable aboutthe high hat.
 4. The shipping container discharge system as in claim 1,wherein the manifold defines an edge shaped complementary to a surfaceof the shipping container, the edge positionable on the surface tosupport the manifold and align the first and second apertures with thedischarge sleeve.
 5. The shipping container discharge system as in claim1, wherein the manifold defines a window for viewing the product duringdischarge from the interior space of the bulkhead liner.
 6. The shippingcontainer discharge system as in claim 1, wherein the manifold includesan attachment device for securing the high hat to the manifold.
 7. Theshipping container discharge system as in claim 6, wherein theattachment device is at least one adjustable rod and at least one boltand the high hat includes at least one rod receptacle, the at least oneadjustable rod attachable to the at least one rod receptacle by the atleast one bolt.
 8. The shipping container discharge system as in claim1, wherein the at least one attachment member is a pair of opposingbars.
 9. The shipping container discharge system as in claim 8, furthercomprising a plurality of cable ties and wherein the reinforced areadefines a plurality of slits therethrough, each of the cable tiesinsertable in respective slits and securable about the pair of opposingbars.
 10. The shipping container discharge system as in claim 1, whereinthe high hat defines a spout with a plurality of weld beads disposedthereon, the spout configured to direct the product during discharge,the weld beads configured to hold a take-away hose about an inner sleevefolded over the weld beads, the inner sleeve depending from within thebulkhead liner through the discharge sleeve to prevent contamination ofthe product.
 11. A shipping container discharge system, comprising: amanifold defining an aperture therethrough and attachable to areinforced area of a bulkhead liner for a shipping container to securethe manifold to the bulkhead liner, a discharge sleeve of the bulkheadliner extending through the aperture and secured about the manifold, themanifold configured for receiving a take-away hose for discharging aproduct from the bulkhead liner through the aperture and the dischargesleeve.
 12. The shipping container discharge system as in claim 11,wherein the manifold defines an edge shaped complementary to a surfaceof the shipping container, the edge positionable on the surface tosupport the manifold and align the aperture with the discharge sleeve.13. The shipping container discharge system as in claim 11, wherein themanifold defines a window for viewing the product during discharge fromthe bulkhead liner.
 14. The shipping container discharge system as inclaim 11, wherein the bulkhead liner is a woven or extrudedpolypropylene or polyethylene material and the reinforced area is awoven or extruded polypropylene or polyethylene patch attached to thebulkhead liner.
 15. The shipping container discharge system as in claim11, further comprising a plurality of cable ties and wherein thereinforced area defines a plurality of slits therein, each of the cableties insertable in respective ones of the slits and securable to themanifold.
 16. The shipping container discharge system as in claim 11,further comprising a high hat defining a complementary aperturetherethrough, the high hat attachable to the manifold with the dischargesleeve secured between the manifold and the high hat.
 17. The shippingcontainer discharge system as in claim 16, wherein the high hat definesa spout with a plurality of protrusions disposed thereon, the spoutconfigured to direct the product during discharge, the protrusionsconfigured to hold a take-away hose about a complementary sleevedisposed between the protrusions and the take-away hose, thecomplementary sleeve depending from within the bulkhead liner throughthe discharge sleeve.
 18. A method of discharging a product from ashipping container, comprising the steps of: providing a bulkhead linerfor a shipping container having an external surface and an internalsurface defined about a cavity therein, and at least one dischargesleeve attached to the internal surface and depending through theexternal and internal surfaces; attaching a manifold to the externalsurface, the at least one discharge sleeve depending from the internalsurface through a first aperture of the manifold; and attaching a highhat to the manifold with a portion of the at least one discharge sleevesecured between the manifold and the high hat, the high hat defining asecond aperture therethrough for unloading a product from within thebulkhead liner through the at least one discharge sleeve and the secondaperture.
 19. The method of discharging a product as in claim 18,further comprising the step of attaching a reinforcement patch to theinternal surface, the manifold attached to the external surface oppositethe reinforcement patch.
 20. The method of discharging a product as inclaim 19, further comprising the steps of providing a plurality of slitsthrough the external and internal surfaces and the reinforcement patch,inserting at least one cable tie into a first one of the slits,projecting the at least one cable tie from a second one of the slits,and securing the at least one cable tie about an attachment member ofthe manifold to attach the manifold to the external surface.
 21. Themethod of discharging a product as in claim 18, further comprising thesteps of providing the bulkhead liner with a complementary sleevedisposed in the at least one discharge sleeve, and securing a portion ofthe complementary sleeve between the high hat and a take-away hose forunloading the product from the bulkhead liner through the secondaperture.